4.5 stars rounded up.

It Started With A Kiss by Lisa Hobman is a romance / womens fiction novel set in Edinburgh.

Star works in a coffee shop and serves Fin his morning coffee each day. When they meet outside the coffee shop sparks fly. But there are a lot of obstacles, and meddling people, they need to overcome to be together.

I really loved both main characters and their backstories, both are really well developed. Star is a perfect example of a free spirit and Fin is quiet and deep. They are definitely proof that opposites attract!

The storyline flows well, with a few twists and bumps in the road for Fin and Star that you expect from a romance novel. Both have very different relationships with their families and I enjoyed reading about those too.

I love the Edinburgh setting, as it is a city I've visited I liked that I know exactly where the author is describing.

I always love Lisa Hobmans books and It Started With A Kiss is no exception. It is a real feel good read, that makes you feel ALL the emotions and it is perfect for reading curled up on the sofa or laid on a beach or by the pool.

Once I started It Started With A Kiss I just could not stop. The characters are so charming, so likable,so realistic you can't help but want the best for them!
Fin and Star don't have a lot of self-confidence but what they have when they start talking and getting to know each other can't be beat. They bring out the best and brightest in each other and their happiness will now shine.
This is my first book by this author and I really have enjoyed reading her writing style, it makes it very easy to understand the story and the pacing was perfect.
With such different personalities and backgrounds the characters have you would have thought the characters wouldn't get on but they have an understanding and compassion for each other's situations and get on fabulously.
Brilliantly written, I can't wait to see what else this author has out!

Pub Date 21 Apr 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This was amazing, I loved it so much , it’s. sweet opposites romance, the main characters, Star and Fin are both well-rounded and developed characters, I loved their chemistry so much and you root for them both and will them on. I loved the messages shared as believing in yourself, following your dreams and about how it’s all about love and family, this is such ch a heartwarming romance. I mean I love Scotland so it’s a win win for me. Overall it’s simply a fantastic romance which I highly recommend

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Firstly, I want to say what a big fan of this author’s work I am, having read two prior novels and thoroughly enjoyed. So, as you can imagine, I was very excited to read this book. It Started with a Kiss is about two twenty somethings who fall in love in Edinburgh, Star and Fin. This book did a good job of capturing what it’s like to fall in love at this age, how all consuming it can be and the insecurities that come along with it. I also liked how Fin and Star gained confidence in their personal and professional lives.
There was some exploration of the characters’ backgrounds but I would have liked to really get under the skin of the characters a little more to feel more of an emotional connection to them. Although that being said I really loved the ending and thought overall it worked well and delivered plenty of romance. There were also some lovely depictions of Edinburgh and plenty of references to rock songs for all the rock fans out there. With thanks for my free copy I received with no obligation to review. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Loved the characters and the setting and it was a good read. I am giving this 4 stars

Thanks to Netgally and publisher for this e ARC

I was completely swept away by this love story! The story is told by both Star and Fin in first person, which helped us understand them. Both are lovely, good hearted characters with creative talents, but with little faith in themselves. They just don't realize how great they are, but when they meet and sparks fly they start bringing the best the best in each other.

The characters are young and perhaps naive, but as a lover of Young Adult books as well as RomCom this wasn't an issue for me. Their emotions were real and raw and I felt them! The story also emphasizes how family doesn't have to be blood relatives only.

It's about who you are and how you treat others that matters, not how much money you have or what you look like!

A mesmerising and addictive read which will bring a smile to your face and warm your heart. The gorgeously engaging writing made it impossible to do anything other than keep turning the pages! The dual point of view injects the story with two compelling narratives with warm, compassionate voices, and highly amusing moments.

I loved the two main characters. I instantly felt for Fin – he comes from a materially wealthy background but there’s no love. He was raised by his nanny, the amazing Hetty, and it was great seeing the scenes with them together. His Dad only cares about status and the family name, and Fin has led his life trying to please him.

Star has a deep love for Edinburgh – it’s a connection to her Grandad. She’s quirky, creative, and isn’t afraid to be her true self. She enjoys Fin’s daily visits to the coffee house where she works.

Fin finally realises he needs to live life for himself, and not let others define who he is, and we get to see him go on an amazing journey of self-discovery. Those performances! It was inspiring to see him shrug off the old him and let his real self shine through.

Fin and Star are inexplicably drawn together, although total opposites they are exactly what the other needs. I love the way they are with each other and how they take each other out of their comfort zones, giving them the courage to follow their dreams.

The path of true love never did run smooth – there’s miscommunications, manipulation and interfering parties. Will they fight for what they want? Is there love a fait accompli or destined to fail?

Hobman charmingly captures the pendulum of emotions that come with falling in love. It’s also a story of self-acceptance and embracing your individuality. It’s pure enjoyment with real emotional depth, and characters you will miss.

With thanks to @rararesources, @LisaJHobmanAuth, and @BoldwoodBooks for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book

Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
It Started With a Kiss by Lisa Hobman is a lovely romance with opposites attract, all set in Edinburgh, Scotland. I said this is opposites attract, but as the book moves on, I realized they are not opposites at all, as they are very similar deep down.

Star, an American living in Edinburgh, is a free spirit and works in a coffee shop. She loves her adopted city and enjoys taking photos of the historic area. She meets Finn, a local lawyer who comes into her coffee shop most mornings. He works in his father’s firm and has known he would work there his entire life.

Finn has always known what he was going to do in life. Not because it’s something he wants to do, but because being a lawyer at his father’s firm is what was always expected of him. He doesn’t mind his life, much, but when he’s around Star, he learns he wants a lot more out of life.

I loved the setting of this story. Although Finn has lived in Edinburgh his entire life, he, and the reader, get to see the city through the eyes of Star, who loves to explore the city and finds so much beauty everywhere she goes.

Finn and Star are opposites, she’s fun and quirky and works in a coffee shop, and he is rich, formal, and works for a prestigious law firm. But, at heart, they are so much alike. Star and Finn grabbed my attention from the very beginning of the book, and never let me go. Star is such an optimistic character and her love of life is infectious. Finn is a bit formal at the beginning, but when he’s around Star, he’s able to let loose and enjoy life too. They are such a great match and they have real chemistry.

I highly recommend It Started With a Kiss to anyone who loves a good romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a lovely feel good romance novel this is. Lisa drew me in straight away and I read the book in one sitting! I loved how pink-haired Star manages to captivate Fin, a business man who is keen to gain his fathers love. Will they be able to make a go of it? You need to read it and find out!!

Star and Fin are opposites. She works in a coffee shop and is a free spirit; he is a successful lawyer, yet when they meet, there is a spark, and as their story plays out, they discover more similarities than differences in the things that matter.

Excellent characterisation and world-building draw the reader into this lovely couple's lives. They are flawed and relatable, and as their relationship deepens, they help each other become their true selves.
The vibrant setting complements a story full of angst and love.

I like the story's immersive qualities that invest the reader in Star and Fin's lives and make what happens matter.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

Unfortunately this book just didn't work for me. The writing wasn't great, a lot of telling instead of showing. I just could 't connect enough to the characters to really care much for them. So I wasn't able to finish it. Someone else might like it, but it was too hard to read for me, and so I wouldn't recommend it.

I loved Star with her pink hair and quirky dress sense - she slightly reminded me of Ellie in About a Boy - and I grew to her instantly. At the start of the book she seems so full of life and such a happy upbeat person that it was quite sad to see her begin to doubt herself and her ability to fit in with a new crowd as she starts spending more time with Fin. However, the way Alec and Fin pushed her to believe in herself was really heartwarming and it shows just how important friendship really is, especially when it came to Alec as he really does look out for Star like a big brother.

We start with seeing Fin at his worst, trying to be something he really isn’t just to hear a bit of praise from his dad and feel loved. Underneath all of this you can see what a good guy he is and how he really just wants to please everyone - something that you can never do! Fin's emotional story was almost the opposite of Star's, he grew in confidence as the pages turned, let alone when he grabs the mic and stands up on stage!

This was a great book about discovering your true self and finding someone who will embrace this and love you for being who you really are, flaws included. Lisa is able to create such strong characters that bounce off the pages of her books, not only with the main characters but also those in supporting roles such as Alec. This alone draws you into the book and you soon find yourself immersed in the characters' lives, wanting to know what is going to happen next and, with Fin and Star, if this really is a case of opposites attract and they can make it through the book together...

Fin from the Hunter family in Edinburgh has had his life mapped out by his family. He's ready to be married but having second thoughts. Jilted at the altar . His family begin to cut ties from him.

On a daily basis, he is served coffee by Star. A complete opposite attracts for the pair of them. Star is American with pink hair completely what the Hunter family don't want for their son.

Is it a case of opposites attract ?

I really liked the character of Star and how she knew what she wanted. A personal journey for both of them.

Loved this book. It was sweet and romantic and so different from other books I’ve read which I liked a lot. I haven’t read many of Lisa Hi man’s books but I will definitely look out for hers in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

What a lovely book, it was very uplifting the characters were very likable, there were some fun times and hard times, very enjoyable

What a truly stunning read this book is and Lisa never fails to disappoint. Heart warming and beautifully written.

My heart was ok, then has got an heartattack and the was better then ever.

I felt in love too. With a loyer, not possible but yes. Fin was a really too traditionalist but after he was dumped on the altar and he met Star, a waitress from America he was changed. Someone thought in worse and made him his life terrible but hopefully we all survived. I can tell were ups and downs but so wonderful described I am sorry the book ended.

Both MC were so lost so shy and so not confidant in their skils. But with a little help of Strìc de dhauis - Stroke of Fate they both developed their real interrests. They had all, found a home and joy. But there was someone that did not like their happiness couse was against their will. To spoil everyrhing. And there was somone who helped to get back in track.

It was charming and passionate as I love. The transformation of Fin and Star was so perfect. I loved every sentence, every word. Their story was steamy without going into details. I like that the author left it open to your imagination. She said just enough to make feel the love and the passion between them.

An other wonderful think was that it was settled manly in Edinburgh, a city I always wanted to visit.

Thank you Booktonic an Netgalley for this arc.

I love this author's books and the settings always provide the perfect backdrop to the story. This wasn't just a romantic will they or wont they end up together read it was a story of two peoples love for each other and of following their hearts and dreams and finding confidence to stand up for each other and what they believe in and creating their own happiness and being true to themselves.

First, I want to thank Lisa Hobman, Boldwood Books, Rachel’s Random Resources and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

It Started with a Kiss…by Lisa Hobman was an adorable story with great characters!

The graphics for It Started with a Kiss..was so beautifully done! The colors scheme and picture grasped my attention.

In the beginning of the book my heart went out to Fin as he was left at the altar. However, that was short lived as I learned the reason behind it.

Fin and Stars storyline made me have a koolaid grin on my face! I absolutely loved how they met and their budding relationship! In my mind she made him a better man!

There was one storyline in this book that got me fired up! I was not a fan of Fin’s father. Many times during this book I found myself yelling at my Kindle because of him! All Fin wanted was his father’s love and approval (as most people want from their parents). He dictated his life and when Fin didn’t do as he asked he took everything away from him.

I started this book at 11pm last night, not realising that I would be so engrossed by Fin and Star's story! A very late night and then just had to finish it this morning!

I love books by this author, you fall hook line and sinker for their stories, their settings, their friends that they all get under your skin and you just have to carry on reading!

This story seemed even more exciting than others, no mean feat! I had tears, laughs and anger at the games people played with feelings.

Is this a new series? Is this a new family moving away from Isle of Skye as in previous books? Well I am looking forward to finding out!

Looking forward to the next one.